Tuesday, July 08, 2008

A note about perspective

It's amazing how hard it can be to keep things in perspective when you're going about your every day life and routine. Pete and I both got home from work last night feeling stressed and overwhelmed by our respective jobs, but by the end of the evening realised how crazy it is to be stressing out about how to make a website or pattern the most amazing thing ever.

It's funny how easily you get caught up in the rat race... and how your ideals about how life should be get dictated by what your peers have or what you see in an interiors magazine. Sometimes I can really see why people choose to abandon all that to go live out in the country with a wide sunny veranda and a self sustaining garden.

We really are lucky to have what we have - health, family, friends -how come it's so hard to just stop and appreciate that?

No images today - trying to stop myself from not posting purely because I have no pics (whoa double negatives galore :) ).

I absolutely agree....I used to subscribe to all of the interiors magazines and then get depressed because my house didn't look like that and I couldn't afford any of it! So I cancelled them all (except Real Living) and now I love my house again....although it would be better if it was out in the country with a nice wide verandah!

Ahhh, your post reminds me of a book called Status Anxiety by Alan de Botton. It's not self-help (eek) it's philosophy (popular philosophy I guess? Not hard to read). He talks about modern stresses and the anxieties that come with that feeling of wanting to "keep up with the Joneses" so to speak... I found it interesting.

I know, I know. But I bet that even on the verandah, there are stresses (beetles on the vines, leaks in the roof). It's the human condition to be dissatisfied, and our constant pursuit of satisfaction is stressful because our condition is unchangeable. Sigh.

I always say I work to live, not live to work. Of course now I don't work at all! But the last 17 years of work have shown me what should be a high priority and what shouldn't be. When I find another job, it will be at a lower level, and hopefully part time at that.

I think its a trap for creative people, the more successful you become the more pressure you put on your self to do better and better. It starts to suck the fun out of why you even started doing it. I dream about the house in the country too.

I agree it´s hard when your hobbies become your work - because then you are always ON. Well I hope this won´t bring negative vibes - just thought you should see it since the trees look a little to much like one of your designs...http://www.growhousegrow.com/collection/ All is well!

Amen! We're in the process of moving and it feels like every little thing is a HUGE stupid deal... When we should really just be trying to enjoy the process and go with it. And having a full-time job doesn't help. Your post is SO timely to me!

I completely agree. It's sad that it takes trials & tribulations in life to come to that realization, but I think that's the only way to really "get" perspective. Not just attain it but really understand it and incorporate it into your life. Kind of like yin and yang...can't know how the good and simple without the bad and crazy. I feel so sorry for people who can't take a step back from themselves and enjoy the little moments.

but you stopped to realize it and take a breather. that's something. it is hard, and everybody showing off their wares and achievements (put ""around both), does make one feel ... small. You have your audience, and small as we are, we love you ;-)

It's true, it is about perspective. I'm happy to have my own, even if I feel on the brink of a melt down now and again. I'm so fortunate to have all the wonderful things I do. I don't take that for granted.

better late than never. sometimes - no, all of the time - it is easy to forget these things. i've only been on my internship for a month and already i'm swamped with work. it gets chaotic trying to see every client who comes in needing housing or clothing or glasses and having those meetings take up your full day but still needing the time to get those resources for them. and then i become stressed for lack of time.

it is very EASY to lose sight of things.

but hey, as i started the note saying, better late than never.

it is so grounding when the realization comes upon you. and it keeps you grounded for a while. but hey, we're only human.

i agree with so many of the comments already made. it can be so hard to distance yourself from the pressure of society and find that balance between working hard and also letting you. us creative types are not immune!

Hi Lara! Just wanted to thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a few comments!

To be honest, I don't know much about Gocco printing other than the bits and pieces I read on blogs. I understand it is pretty difficult to get hold of the 'machine' and accessories/paints that go with it. Never-the-less if the opportunity arises I'd love to have a go at it. I'm pleased you think some of my drawings would be suited to it. I may look into this further.

funny thing is that I did just that...stop the craziness, move to a small town, big garden with veggies and flowers. Slower pace.... and Ive never been happier in my life. Maybe I had it in me to begin with...Good luck to you!

I've just come back to work and am pretty amazed at how everyone keeps buck-passing for work not done while I was away. Oh, please, send some perspective my way (so I can beat my colleagues over the bloody head with it).

I have gone to live in the country with a wide sunny verandah and a self-sustaining garden (potatoes and spinach so far), but it isn't the cure all for lack of perspective, but it does help a bit. For me perspective comes when I realise what makes me happy.

I live in the country with a nice wrap around covered deck, and so from first hand perspective it's great to read the mags and see what's happening around the world - and it's great to ditch them too. No matter where you live it's just amazing to have the knack for being creative and having the opportunity, facilities (internet, etc) and family to help you out with your perspective (especially when you loose it for a few moments). Keep up the great work!